USC Football: Projecting Lane Kiffin's 2013 Defensive Depth Chart

Although there remain many questions surrounding USC's 2013 defense (not the least of which is who their defensive coordinator will be) there are also some certainties that should give Trojan fans plenty of reasons to smile next year.

While the defensive backfield will undergo a major facelift, the front seven should be a strength as the Men of Troy try to rebound from the debacle that was their 2012 season.

This article show will take a presumptive look at the defense the Trojans will field next year, admittedly doing so under the burden of uncertainty regarding what kind of defense the new coordinator will employ.

For arguments sake, this projection of the 2013 defense will be predicated on the 4-3 defense the Trojans have run for years and will also assume that NFL eligible juniors will return for their senior year.

So without further delay, let's play Nostradamus and take a look in the crystal ball at next year's defensive depth chart.

Conclusion

Because the defense is in such a state of flux (pending the naming of a defensive coordinator among other issues) looking ahead so far into the future is somewhat of an exercise in futility.

Couple that with the uncertainty of incoming freshmen such as cornerback Chris Hawkins and safety Leon McQuay III, both of whom may redshirt to gain weight and mature, making a contribution this year, and the situation becomes even more muddied.

That doesn't even take into account the possible impact freshmen who may still sign with USC for this recruiting class.

What is beyond question is that the Trojans will need to improve on this side of the ball for USC to regain the national prominence lost in 2012.

As for the veracity of this projected defensive depth chart, see me in September.